MARILYN HOFFBECK

Marilyn Gwen (Jensen) Hoffbeck, of Mora, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2025, at Rosewood Senior Living in Cambridge. She was 89 years old.

Marilyn was born on April 13, 1935, in Tracy, Minnesota, to Lester and Helene (McCulla) Jensen. She grew up on the family farm in southwestern Minnesota and attended school in Milroy, Minnesota. It was while attending Milroy High School, she met her future husband, Jim Hoffbeck. After graduating as the valedictorian in 1953, Marilyn attended Macalester College in St. Paul.

On August 15, 1954, she and Jim married and started their life together in Brookings, South Dakota. In December of 1957, Marilyn received a bachelor’s degree in home economics with a minor in chemistry from South Dakota State University. While Marilyn and Jim were in college, they were blessed with their sons, Rick and Randy. After graduation, Jim’s career as a County Extension Agent moved the family to Little Falls, Aitkin, White Bear Lake, and Mora. While in Aitkin, they were blessed with their son, Ron and completed their family in Mora with the birth of their daughter, Renee. In addition to caring for her family, Marilyn worked as a substitute teacher and administered math and reading competency tests for the MN State Department of Education.

During the Kanabec County Fair, she judged the food entries for 4H and Open competitions. Marilyn volunteered for and led many community organizations: Hospital Auxiliary, Mora Food Pantry, Christian Women’s Club, Meals on Wheels, and Mora Women’s Club. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Mora for over 58 years and served as a Sunday school teacher, elder, Bible study leader, and many other roles within the church. Marilyn enjoyed traveling abroad and around the US with friends; but more than anything, she loved making memories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Marilyn had a servant’s heart and will be greatly missed by everyone she touched throughout her life.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years James “Jim”; parents, Lester and Helene; and sister Marlys.

She is survived by her children, Rick, Randy (Cindy Wanner), Ron (Barb), and Renee (Clark) Kristensen; grandchildren, Sean (Shannon), Ian (Esther), Shane, Heather, Abby and Noah; great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Kaylee, Caleb and Ruby; and her nephew, Jared; several other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Marilyn's Life will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church in Mora.

 Memorial Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

A Luncheon will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to First Presbyterian Church of Mora.

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